N10 billion Allocation: Even ‘US White House uses solar power, presidency defends Aso Rock solar installation

Citing the United States, a developed nation that still uses solar power as alternative energy, Nigeria’s presidential Villa has defended the proposed N10 billion incresde allocated to be spent in installation of a solar mini-grid.

The Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga in a post on his verified X account described the initiative as a global best practice.

According to him, the United States also makes use of solar energy at the country’s White House in Washington, D.C.

Posting a video of the solar installation at the White House in the United States, he captioned, “The White House in Washington, D.C. uses solar power.”

The Presidency was reacting to the public outcry that the N10 billion earmarked for solar power in fresh allocation was a rape on the nation’s resources.

The project allocation initially was N33.55 billion, but was increased to N43.55 billion in the 2025 approved budget, a development that attracted public scrutiny.

This pushed the total budgetary provision for the State House from N47.11 billion to N57.11 billion.

Onanuga said the initiative is part of efforts to address unreliable electricity supply and the growing cost of power across the country.

The solar project is expected to reduce reliance on the national grid and cushion the impact of electricity tariff increases on government spending.